Women and Politics

This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF Communications Fellow

How many U.S. Senators have ever been without health insurance? Or ever had to suffer a difficult illness while uninsured?

My guess is not many. Yet our Congress is working to reform our health care system to provide coverage for those without insurance—a situation they have never experienced.

If elected, U.S. Senate candidate from Illinois Cheryle Jackson, would bring a fresh and necessary voice to health care reform and our public leadership as a whole.

Cheryle Jackson is currently serving as President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. She is the first female executive of the organization and during her time as President, she increased membership to 7,000 members and increased the League’s visibility and involvement in the city of Chicago.

From a young age, Cheryle understood the struggles that people faced as well as the importance of education, which contributed greatly to her successes with the Chicago Urban League later on in her life.

Her personal experience has shaped her views on health care reform. After being uninsured while enduring a grave illness, Cheryle has a deeper understanding of those who are uninsured. She is a strong supporter of the public option that will provide a government-run insurance plan to those who do not have insurance.

Cheryle is also determined to end the sexism that many insurance companies use in order to over-charge female customers and deny women coverage because of certain pre-existing conditions. With the recent loss of Ted Kennedy’s seat to Scott Brown, who promised to vote against President Obama’s healthcare bill, the need for strong voices to pass healthcare has never been more necessary.

At a time in which only 17 women serve in the U.S. Senate, there has been no greater need for more female voices. Women’s health hinges on the passage (or denial) of certain bills.

We need Cheryle Jackson to provide a stronger voice for women to ensure that our reproductive freedoms will not be taken away.

Tags: Cheryle Jackson, endorsed candidates, endorsement, healthcare, Illinois senator